Learn how Thailand’s regional associates are giving back in Don Chum Village
By Ittipol Ton Rerkdee, Program Services Manager, Thailand
This past summer, Rung Chatchaloemwut, Regional General Manager for Thailand and Southeast Asia, led a team of three OAT regional associates—Ton, Jay, and Mod—and 30 Thai Trip Leaders, to join hands with more than 100 villagers and participate in several community service activities at Don Chum Village in Phrae Province of Northern Thailand, sponsored by Grand Circle Foundation.
More than 30 regional associates in Thailand joined the villagers of Don Chum Village in the Phrae Province of Northern Thailand for a day of service.
The team began their morning planting 1,500 teak trees in the village, which covers about five acres of land. The Community Service Committee Team then divided the group into two smaller groups. The first group went to the Senior Club at Don Chum Temple, where the Don Chum Agricultural Cooperative Project is located. We painted the Senior Club—where OAT travelers visit during their A Day in the Life experience.
Volunteers began their day by planting 1,500 teak trees.
The second group planted 100 banana trees and covered the thatched roof on the children’s playground at Boonyapark Day Care Centre, another site sponsored by Grand Circle Foundation, and a place OAT travelers may visit during their Thailand adventure.
One team helped cover a thatched roof at a playground at Boonyapark Day Care Centre, sponsored by Grand Circle Foundation.
After enjoying a team lunch with villagers at the Don Chum School and finishing up our various projects, we had fun celebrating with the villagers by playing games and sports—including rice bag races, tug of war, futsal (a variation of football) for the men, and chairball for the women. Many villagers and students were there to show their support by shouting and cheering. There was plenty of music, laughter, and fun.
Once the work was complete, volunteers and villagers enjoyed celebrating with games and sports.
“Thank you Grand Circle Foundation, for coming to support our village for many years and improving the quality of life of our villagers. We will ensure the sustainability of the Agricultural Cooperative Project, which will create jobs and more income for the people in the community,” said Mr. Udom Naksang, the chief of the village.
Learn more about how we give back to the world we travel on our Discover Thailand adventure.